29Dec2013- New Creation

How you doin? The end of Galatians already. It snuck up on me. This book has been huge for me, because it speaks of the new creation that I want to become. It speaks of living under or in accordance to the new covenant. Galatians 6.

Verses 7-8, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." I would hear the expression that steams from this Scripture often... "you reap what you sow". My parents said this to me several times in their attempt to get me to be good. As a reminder, according to my Bible's dictionary, "sow" means "to scatter seeds in planting a crop; to cause a given effect". These verses make it easy to understand what my parents were trying to convey.

Verses 11-18, are titled "Not Circumcision but a New Creation". Understand that throughout this chapter Paul is talking about the circumcision of the "written code" or of the flesh. Deuteronomy 30:6, "The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live." Romans 2:29, "No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person's praise is not from other people, but from God." I probably should have pointed this out earlier. Back to Galatians 6. I very rarely sway from the NIV or NASB but today verses 14-16 are coming from the Message, "For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!" I love how this is worded. The point is that it's important/essential to sow into the new creation that Jesus died for me/us to be. COME ON!!!!!!!

Verse 18, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen." (NIV)

"

May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh, yes!

" (Message) I love how "Amen" in the Message is "Oh,yes!". I love Paul's closing statements. I'm just going to receive that prayer today. Be the new creation that Jesus died for you to be today.